Feds: Climate Change Already Affecting Colorado

A report released Tuesday by the Obama Administration found climate change has already caused extensive changes across the United States including here in Colorado.

Mt. Lamborn, Paonia, CO

Credit Laura Palmisano

The U.S. National Climate Assessment projected temperatures will increase in the Southwest. Patrick Gonzalez, a climate change scientist with the National Park Service who co-authored the report, said field measurements at Curecanti National Recreation Area show park temperatures have increased at rate of 1.6 degrees per century from 1950 to 2010.

"Now that might not sound like a lot...but it's the equivalent of pushing a mountain down from cooler areas to warmers areas by 150 meters or 500 feet," Gonzalez said.

The report also predicted the Southwest will see decreased snowfall, reduced crop yields, and increased drought.